“O Sciore Cchiù Felice” by Fabio Petani in Naples, Italy

Fabio Petani has just sent in some flicks of his work for 7th mural of Parco dei Murales project in Naples, Italy. Mural named “O Sciore Cchiù Felice” (the happiest flower) is dedicated to the worth and knowledge of the local areas and was inspired by the work of Mr. Aldo Merola, the botanist who was one of the most relevant directors of the Royal Botanical Garden in Naples. “O Sciore Cchiù Felice” is also a name of a suggestive song by the Almamegretta ska/rap/dub/world/reggae group from Naples.

New phase of this project saw the participation of children, kids and families from the Parco dei Murales, themselves being involved in a guided tour of the Royal Botanical Garden in Naples and to its majestic Merola greenhouse in particular. This guided tour was a journey into knowledge for its participants, who discovered the history and the main features of rare and wonderful plants, as well as being able to draw everything they photographed (and that amazed them) during an artistic network afterwards.

The artistic impressions created by the young participants were then sent to the artist, who took inspiration to use several colours, yellow and purple in particular, as these were the most photographed hues and for using the circle more than other forms, due to the appreciation the young visitors had for the corollas of the flowers they saw.

The creativity at work here involved first and foremost sharing and creativity and focuses on minors towards regenerating consciousness, identity and self-esteem within the local youth. Therefore, the happiest flower is the one able to build its own ground to receive joy, benefit and nourishment. The main protagonist of this huge work of art is a flower of Italian Arum (Arum Italicum), a Mediterranean species present in the local Vallone di San Gennaro, a valley dedicated to St. Januarius, the local patron saint. This plant has its flowering in March, the same month when the work of art was started.

The Italian Arum was considered a magical plant in ancient times and was reputed to have magical, averting powers, as well as being able to ward off evil spirits. Because of this, it was put on cribs in order to protect newborn babies and it was also reputed to give love to those less lucky in amorous pursuits.

Fabio Petani was born in 1987 in Pinerolo, Turin, Italy. After achieving his degree in Cultural Heritage, he approached the urban creativity scene in Turin and is currently a member of the Urban Creativity Association called “Il Cerchio e le Gocce”. All the works of art and the interventions this artist carries out are inspired by flora and integrate themselves in harmony with geometrical elements and industrial structures. The importance of his art the artist gives to the links between its works, the matters at hand and their context resonates with telling a tale between art and nature through chemistry.

Check out more in-progress shots below and stay tuned on StreetArtNews for more updates from Italy!